Sydney- Middle East Times Int'l: The NSW Budget delivered in June featured a record $4.5 billion surplus. How this will benefit the people of this state was explained at a post Budget Breakfast.

The 2017-18 NSW Budget has won high praise from leading business groups which believe the record infrastructure spending will have far reaching effects throughout the state. The glowing assessment was made at the annual NSW Budget Breakfast.

The event, hosted by the NSW Business Chamber and Sydney Business Chamber, was attended by leading government and business figures. They included State Treasurer and the Minister for Industrial Relations Dominic Perrottet, and Minister for Western Sydney and Minister for WestConnex Stuart Ayres and Arab Bank Australia CEO Joe Rizk. The bank and the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, were the main sponsors of the meeting.

Treasurer and the Minister for Industrial Relations Dominic Perrottet,

Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said the NSW Budget demonstrated that the Government’s recycling assets program was paying off for people throughout NSW.

“Many projects will be delivered ahead of original forecasts, notably key transport projects such as the CBD South West Metro and the B-Line project on the Northern Beaches,” Ms Forsythe said.

“Managing Sydney’s growth and dealing with the long-term legacy issues such as congestion will only be achieved with a sustained focus on infrastructure and a prudent approach to budget management.

“Managing growth is one of the main issues Sydneysiders are facing so it is good to see measures assisting local government in this Budget, including the allocation of funds to councils to fast-track Local Environment Plans updates and up to $500 million for concessional loans to support the delivery of local infrastructure.

“A commitment to the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan in 2017-18 of nearly $650 million is a clear indication of the important role the Western Sydney economy plays in the state.

“Transport connectivity is the missing link in Western Sydney, which contributes to the mass migration of the region’s population to work and study, and the funding for the Parramatta Light Rail will help alleviate the lack of transport options.

“The Chamber welcomes the new investment in hospitals in Western Sydney as these medical precincts have become massive job engines.”